Фонокорректоры — PS Audio PMG Signature Phono Preamplifier

The PMG Signature Phono Preamplifier is a phono stage from PS Audio, the American company based in Boulder, Colorado. It is part of the Paul McGowan Signature Series, named after the company's founder and CEO, which also includes a line preamplifier, a DAC and an SACD transport. PS Audio states it is the first phono preamp in its 50-year history to carry the founder's name. It was designed by PS Audio engineer Darren Myers.

Key specs that matter

There are two inputs for moving-coil and moving-magnet cartridges, on both RCA and XLR. Gain reaches 70 dB for cartridges down to 0.15 mV. The circuit uses zero-feedback folded cascodes and fully discrete Class A FET stages, with a balanced output. Loading and gain are adjustable by remote control, with loads from 47 kohm down to 12 ohm in twelve steps. No capacitors sit in the output signal path, and two 3.5 mm DC trigger inputs accept 5 to 15 V. Each output is one stereo pair, RCA and XLR. Mains input switches automatically between 120 V and 230 V, and the chassis has three layers with EMI shielding. PS Audio lists the price at USD 8,999. The unit measures 444.5 x 101.6 x 368.3 mm and weighs 13.6 kg in total.

Engineering and use context

A transimpedance, current-mode input is provided for low-output MC cartridges. Instead of amplifying the voltage across a load resistor, it senses the current the cartridge produces into a very low input impedance, so resistive loading no longer needs to be set. It is the first PS Audio design to use a zero-feedback architecture, which avoids global correction of the signal after it has been amplified and relies instead on the linearity of each discrete FET stage. PS Audio uses its Diamond buffers throughout. A high-current, oversized analogue power supply provides large headroom so that record peaks do not overload the stage. For moving-magnet cartridges, a conventional voltage input with remote-adjustable loading is available, and settings can be changed from the listening seat. The same engineer was responsible for all four PMG Signature products. The matching PMG Signature line preamplifier uses a double chassis with a pure Class A folded cascode gain stage and a claimed noise floor of -145 dB. Finishes are silver and black. In New Zealand it sold at about NZD 21,449.

Pairing

With its high gain and current-mode input, the PMG Signature Phono suits low-output MC cartridges. Its balanced outputs pair with the PMG Signature Preamplifier.

Alternatives

PS Audio's Stellar Phono Preamplifier is the brand's more affordable phono stage.